Security and Intelligence Agencies: Supplementary Estimate

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will be publishing the Winter Supplementary Estimate 2003–04 for the Security and Intelligence agencies.

Baroness Amos: Subject to parliamentary approval of any necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Security and Intelligence agencies' DEL will be increased by £39,176,000 from £1,458,270,000 to £1,497,446,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £7,949,000 from £558,375,000 to £566,324,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   New DEL 
			  Change Voted Non-voted Total 
			 Resource 35,161,000 1,105,287,000 11,750,000 1,117,037,000 
			 Capital 4,015,000 516,009,000 5,000,000 521,009,000 
			 Depreciation(1) — –140,600,000 — 140,600,000 
			 Total 39,176,000 1,480,696,000 16,750,000 1,497,446,000 
		
	
	(1) Depreciation, which forms part of resource DEL, is excluded from the total DEL since capital DEL includes capital spending and to include depreciation of those assets would lead to double counting.
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	1. The take up of £10,875,000 for serious crime funding. This was allocated to the Home Office at SR2000.
	2. A claim on the reserve of £21,300,000 for work in Iraq.
	3. The take-up of end-of-year flexibility of £3,000,000.
	4. A transfer of £154,000 to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (HMCE) for a building which is solely used by HMCE staff.
	5. A switch from capital to resource of £145,000.
	6. A decrease of £5,000 resource due to a reduction of £5,000 in the forecast loss on sale of an asset. This is a non-cash item.
	7. A transfer from non-voted DEL to voted DEL of £2,000,000.
	8. A further increase in resource of £5,015,000. This is offset by an increase of £5,015,000 operating appropriations in aid.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:
	1. A claim on the reserve of £3,700,000 for work in Iraq.
	2. A transfer of £460,000 from the Cabinet Office.
	3. A switch from capital to resource of £145,000.
	4. A further increase in capital of £5,000. This is offset by an increase in non-operating appropriations in aid of £5,000.

Immigration and Asylum Cases: Government Proposals for Publicly Funded Work

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will set out their proposals for publicly funded immigration and asylum work.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Asylum legal aid costs have risen from £81.3 million in 2000–01 to £174.2 million in 2002–03. There are a number of reasons for this increase, but it remains the case that the majority of claims for asylum are refused. As we set out in our consultation paper of 5 June 2003, this increase in costs, coupled with concerns about the quality of some work undertaken under legal aid, and evidence of duplication of some cases, required action from the Government to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent most effectively and efficiently.
	Following the consultation, the Government will introduce measures which will:
	introduce a financial threshold of five hours for the initial decision-making process, which can only be exceeded with prior authority of the LSC;
	ensure that no legal aid work is undertaken in asylum appeal cases without prior approval from the Legal Services Commission, which will set financial thresholds in individual cases which pass a merits test for legal aid;
	introduce accreditation for all lawyers and case-workers doing legally aided asylum work;
	introduce a unique client number to reduce unnecessary changes of solicitor.
	The LSC will have the power to vary the financial threshold up or down for individual firms whose track record justifies this. The LSC will also continue to allow top quality firms with a good track record on appeal cases to proceed without prior authority up to a set financial threshold. Any autonomy granted by the LSC will have to be earned.
	These measures will apply in England and Wales.
	The Consultation
	We outlined three proposals:
	a curb on the amount of time for which lawyers would be paid in individual cases;
	accreditation of lawyers and other case-workers to ensure quality representation;
	the introduction of a unique client number to prevent unnecessary changes of solicitor.
	We received 260 responses to the consultation paper. The House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee also inquired into our proposals and reported on 31 October 2003.
	There was overwhelming support for the introduction of accreditation and the unique file number. There was widespread concern about the proposals to curb the amount of time for which lawyers would be paid in individual cases. Respondents also made many suggestions about where savings might be achieved and there was some criticism of Home Office systems and procedures. Officials from the Home Office, Department for Constitutional Affairs and Legal Services Commission are examining the initial decision-making stage of the asylum process, with particular regard to the role that legal aid and publicly funded practitioners play. This work may lead to further changes in the way that legal aid for asylum seekers is delivered beyond those now proposed. In particular, consideration is being given as to whether legal aid is needed at the initial stage in all cases. The Government will make a further announcement on any further changes in due course. We are very grateful for all the responses, and especially the report of the Constitutional Affairs Committee. We have considered carefully all the points which have been made.
	Our revised proposals
	In our consultation paper, we proposed that there should be a cap of five hours' work at the initial stage, that is prior to the initial decision by the Home Office as to whether asylum should be granted. There would be higher caps for stated exceptions. We now propose that there should instead be a financial threshold for preparation time allowed for the generality of cases up to the initial decision for asylum cases. The norm for this threshold will be five hours. The LSC will also introduce a threshold for immigration non-asylum cases. This will normally be between three and five hours depending on the circumstances of the case. Once this threshold is reached, suppliers will only be allowed to proceed under legal aid with prior authority from the LSC. Professional disbursements and VAT will not count towards these thresholds. The LSC will introduce separate thresholds for professional disbursements which require prior authority to exceed. Extensions are only likely to be granted, on application to the LSC, in genuine and complex cases where there is a real prospect of success. The LSC proposes to allow a limited number of firms, where it is confident work is to a high standard, devolved powers to self-grant to a higher figure.
	In all but exceptional cases (unaccompanied minors; applicants going through fast-track initial decision processes; those suffering from a recognised and verifiable mental incapacity which makes it impractical to undergo an interview without support) funding for attendance by a representative at the substantive asylum interview will not be authorised. The LSC will introduce rules to ensure that in these exceptional cases where attendance at interview is authorised, this will be by the adviser in the case or the immigration supervisor, not by an agent or outdoor clerk, until accreditation is introduced.
	Before any preparatory work can be carried out under legal aid for an asylum appeal, the LSC will need to be satisfied itself that the case merits being pursued. Currently, this decision can be made by individual firms. There will therefore be no guarantee of any legally aided work being allowed at the appeals stage in individual cases. If, however, the LSC is satisfied that the appeal case merits representation, it will set a financial threshold up to which firms will be able to work before they need to seek an extension from the LSC. Thresholds would be set for individual cases depending on the facts of the case, and the experience and previous outcomes of the firm. As now, applicants will be able to seek a review of refusal of funding by the LSC for an appeal against rejection of their asylum claim, but any such review will be considered on the papers only.
	The LSC will proceed with a fixed fee of £150 plus VAT for applications for leave to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.
	The LSC is presently finalising the details of the skills and competencies required for each of three levels of accreditation now being proposed. It will then invite the Law Society to recruit independent assessment organisations which will ensure that all advisers undergo objective tests of their competence and evaluation of a portfolio of work conducted. As set out in our original proposals, those on the most rigorous advanced level will be entitled to increased remuneration as a result of their skill and experience for work they personally conduct. This we propose to be at 5 per cent above current rates.
	The unique client number will be required to be used for all dealings between advisers and the LSC in a case once it has been issued, and will be submitted with all claims for payment once an initial decision has been made.
	In addition, the LSC will also consult over limiting choice of representative in locations where fast-track procedures are in operation to dedicated duty representatives authorised under contract. This is intended to prevent touting and poaching of clients at centres such as Oakington and Harmondsworth which currently leads to wasteful duplication of resources. The LSC will also consult over the use of experts in asylum cases, whether it is necessary to have a separate interpreter at substantive asylum interviews for the client, in those exceptional cases where funding is authorised for attendance by a representative at the substantive asylum interview and whether there should be a fixed fee for advocacy before the adjudicators in order to ensure value for money is obtained.
	Implementation
	The introduction of prior authorisation by the LSC in every asylum and immigration case (with the exception of five hours for advice at the initial stage and any other earned autonomy granted by the LSC) will require a significant change in processes and procedure which will take some time to bed in efficiently. There will therefore be a transitional additional two hours at the initial stage for most firms before extensions are required from the LSC. The timetable will be as follows:
	Transitional seven-hour threshold for initial stage applies to suppliers in London on 1 March 2004.
	Transitional seven-hour threshold for initial stage applies to all other suppliers on 1 April 2004.
	Five-hour threshold for initial stage applies to all suppliers in England and Wales on 1 May 2004.
	Authorisation from LSC required for appeals from 1 April 2004.
	The thresholds will apply to all work whether done on new or old cases started after introduction.
	Accreditation will be introduced from April 2004, and will become compulsory by April 2005. The unique client number will be introduced from April 2004. The requirement to apply to the LSC for prior approval to appeal an initial Home Office decision will also apply from April 2004.
	Savings
	These revised proposals are estimated to save around £30 million in 2004–05 against what we would be spending were we not to introduce prior authorisation.
	Taken together, these measures will bring asylum legal aid under effective control and cut out unnecessary expenditure. Costs will be limited, and targeted at the most deserving cases. Quality representation will be recognised and rewarded by the new accreditation scheme, and wasteful duplication of cases will be ended.

Freedom of Information Act 2000: Annual Report on Implementation

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to lay before Parliament the annual report on implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Lord Filkin: My right honourable and noble and learned friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has today laid before both Houses and published the annual report on bringing into force those provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which are not yet fully in force. The Government are committed to bringing the Freedom of Information Act fully into force in January 2005. This report details what action has been taken as well as what arrangements are being made for the coming year. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

Iraq: UK Forces

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to adjust United Kingdom force levels in Iraq.

Lord Bach: The Multinational Division (South-East) (MND(SE)) in Iraq was successfully instituted on 13 July and the UK now leads a 10-nation contingent in the southern Iraqi provinces of Basrah, Maysan, Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna.
	As part of our routine management of the UK's land deployment, we intend shortly to conduct a roulement of our forces in theatre. This will begin with an incremental replacement of HQ 3 (UK) Division with a composite headquarters for MND(SE), the staff for which will be drawn from across UK Defence and from allies. 1 Mechanised Brigade will begin to replace 20 Armoured Brigade as the foundation for the UK's military commitment inside Iraq in April 2004. We intend that the process will be complete by the end of April 2004. We expect the level of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force presence in theatre to remain broadly stable.
	As part of this roulement of forces and in line with our policy of employing the reserves as an integral component of the Armed Forces, we shall be mobilising a further tranche of around 1,100 reservists to support operations in Iraq. We expect these personnel to deploy from mid-February 2004 onwards. Although a significant mobilisation, this is both in absolute terms a smaller number than have been mobilised for previous tranches, and will constitute a smaller proportion of the service personnel deployed to theatre than previously. These reservists will be employed in a number of roles: about a third in theatre at any one time will be deployed in the infantry role as force protection, a little under a quarter will provide reinforcement to regular infantry units deployed, about a sixth will be medical personnel and the remainder will provide a variety of specialist capabilities.
	We aim to issue the majority of call-out notices around 9 January 2004 and begin mobilisation in mid February 2004. Reservist personnel will receive at least 21 days' notice to mobilise. Mobilisation will be followed by a period of individual training to confirm basic skills, theatre specific pre-deployment training, role-specific collective training, integration into receiving units and then a short period of leave before deployment. For the majority of those called out, their deployed tour will last six months; and for most the total period of mobilisation, including post-tour leave, is expected to last between eight and nine months, although for a very small proportion it may be slightly longer.
	We intend to spend the period between now and January identifying for selection as accurately as possible those reservists who are believed to be fit and available for deployment. As in previous practice, to ensure that we successfully mobilise the required number, we will need to issue a greater number of call-out notices than our actual in-theatre requirement.
	We will continue to keep the size and mix of forces in theatre under careful review and we can expect to make further adjustments to our force structures and undertake further mobilisations in order to ensure that we continue to have the appropriate capabilities for the tasks in hand. While we remain determined to maintain appropriate forces deployed in Iraq and the wider Gulf region for as long as is necessary, we are equally determined that no forces should remain deployed for any longer than is necessary.

Defence Communications and Services Agency: Key Targets 2003–04

Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Communications and Services Agency (DCSA) for financial year 2003–04.

Lord Bach: Key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Communications and Services Agency (DCSA) for financial year 2003–04. The targets build on progress already made and are as follows:
	KT1 Service Assurance
	To meet an average of 99 per cent for measured services against agreed performance targets.
	KT2 Service Fulfilment
	To commission an average of 95 per cent of new service requests on, or before, dates agreed by customers with the DCSA.
	KT3 Service Restoration
	To restore an average 97 per cent of interrupted services classed as operationally urgent within four hours of the fault being reported to the DCSA, or within other specific periods agreed with customers and to restore business critical services in accordance with periods as specified in CSAs.
	KT4 Service Support
	To achieve an average 90 per cent success rate against standards in response to demands on all DCSA operator assistance centres (OACs) and helpdesks facilities.
	KT5 Customer Satisfaction
	To achieve a customer confidence index of 54 in financial year 2003–04. Key target measurement has changed from last year and will be achieved by the agency's customer relationship management staff undertaking a series of face-to-face interviews with DCSA customers. The information obtained from these interviews will be processed and a customer confidence index (CCI) produced. If this measure is delivered it will represent an eight per cent increase compared to 2002–03.
	KT6 Efficiency Measurement
	To achieve an improvement in efficiency by reducing the average unit cost of output by three per cent.
	KT7 Service Introduction of New Projects and Services
	To deliver new projects to time, cost and performance as expressed at the 90 per cent confidence level to a tolerance of 10 per cent.

Ministry of Defence: Supplementary Estimate

Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes are proposed to the Ministry of Defence departmental expenditure limits.

Lord Bach: Subject to parliamentary approval of any necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Ministry of Defence departmental expenditure limits will be increased by £1,550,586,000 from £29,241,795,000 to £30,792,381,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table:
	
		£1,000s 
		
			   New DEL 
			  Change Voted Non-voted Total 
			 Resource 1,220,784 31,597,524 375,142 31,972,666 
			 Capital 329,802 6,455,352 2,250 6,457,602 
			 Depreciation(2)  –7,537,887 –100,000 –7,637,887 
			 Total 1,550,586 30,514,989 277,392 30,792,381 
		
	
	(2) Depreciation, which forms part of Resource DEL, is excluded from the total DEL since capital DEL includes capital spending and to include depreciation of those assets would lead to double counting.
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	The take up of the resource end-year flexibility of £80,872,000.
	An increase in RfR2 of £1,140,000,000 for military operations.
	A transfer of £275,000 to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as a share of Ordnance Survey costs under a pan-Government agreement.
	An increase of £80,000 from the Invest to Save budget for quadrupole resonance detectors.
	An increase of £98,000 from the Invest to Save budget to introduce an alert system for pluvial flooding to complement the Environment Agency's flood warning service.
	A transfer of £9,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions as a contribution to the Veteran Agency's helpline.
	An increase in Resource Appropriations in Aid of £50,300 from an out of court settlement relating to a breach of confidentiality, which will be offset by a donation to charity of the same amount.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:
	An increase in RfR2 of £256,000,000 for military operations.
	An advance of £73,782,000 for landing ship dock auxiliary vessels as agreed in SR2000.
	An increase of £20,000 from the Invest to Save budget for quadrupole resonance detectors.

Army Technical Foundation College

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to transfer training from the Army Technical Foundation College at Rowcroft Barracks, Arborfield.

Lord Bach: The Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) currently runs a 28-week course for junior soldiers at the Army Technical Foundation College (ATFC) at Rowcroft Barracks, Arborfield. The course is aimed at recruits to the Royal Engineers (RE), the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), the Royal Signals (R Signals) and the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC).
	Among REME recruits especially, the quality of output from the college has not been high enough. This has resulted in failure at phase 2 specialist training by an unacceptably high number of individuals. ATRA has considered a number of ways of addressing this problem and has come to the conclusion that the best solution entails the closure of the college and the transfer of students to, principally, the Army Foundation College (AFC) at Harrogate, where a new technical training stream will be introduced. There will be other changes to the way in which junior recruits are trained within ATRA, but these will not involve closures of any other establishments.
	No final decision regarding the closure date has yet been taken. We have given approval in principle to this course of action and ATRA is undertaking a full consultation exercise with the relevant trades unions. This is expected to take until January 2004, at which time we will consider the outcome, come to a conclusion and advise the House accordingly.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Sites

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to rationalise the number of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory sites.

Lord Bach: The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) will reduce the number of sites on which it operates to three core sites: Fort Halstead in Kent, Porton Down in Wiltshire, and Portsdown West, near Portsmouth in Hampshire. Approximately 1,400 Dstl staff, who are currently geographically dispersed, from Farnborough in Hampshire, Malvern in Worcestershire, and Winfrith in Dorset, as well as other minor sites, will relocate to the three core sites over the next few years. The programme is likely to be completed in 2007.
	Among the benefits that will accrue to Dstl and MoD are increased technical synergy and coherence; improved operational effectiveness; better integration of teams; enhanced development opportunities and career prospects for staff; and reduced overhead costs.
	The MoD has undertaken a regional impact assessment to assess the effect on staff and local communities. This particularly supports the move of staff to Portsmouth, an area of economic deprivation. Of the options open to Dstl, the plans are most consistent with the aims of the review of public sector relocation being undertaken by Sir Michael Lyons on behalf of the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister, and have been approved by the Treasury.

Cabinet Office: Supplementary Estimate

Baroness Howells of St Davids: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will be publishing the winter Suplementary Estimate 2003–04 for the Cabinet Office.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Subject to parliamentary approval of any necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Cabinet Office DEL will be increased by £11,446,000 from £299,843,000 to £311,289,000 and the gross administration costs limits will be increased by £10,243,000 from £213,490,000 to £223,733,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the following table:
	
		
			   New DEL 
			 £000 Change Voted Non-voted Total 
			 Resource 11,133 276,115 0 276,115 
			 Capital 313 85,328 0 85,328 
			 Depreciation (3) 0 –50,154 0 –50,154 
			 Total 11,446 311,289 0 311,289 
		
	
	(3) Depreciation, which forms part of the resource DEL, is excluded from the total DEL since capital DEL includes capital spending and to include depreciation of those assets would lead to double counting.
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from additions from the DEL reserve of £8,600,000 to support core departmental activities, additions of £2,206,000 from the Policy Innovation Fund for the newly formed Shareholder Executive and net transfers from other government departments of £327,000.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from additions of £23,000 from the Policy Innovation Fund for the newly formed Shareholder Executive and net transfers from other departments of £290,000.

Tote

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What their plans are for the sale of the Tote.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government remain committed to the sale of the Tote, and we plan to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals very shortly.
	As part of the preparations for the sale, the Government have had to consider whether the Tote's current exclusive right to offer pool betting on British horseracing should continue once it has been transferred into the private sector. We have concluded that it will be in the public interest to open up the pool betting market to effective competition, but that a reasonable preparatory period is necessary in order to safeguard the policy aims underlying the sale.
	The Government have therefore decided that if our plans to sell the Tote to a racing consortium proceed, then the current intention is to issue the Tote's successor company with an exclusive licence to operate horserace pool betting on British racing for seven years.
	This licence will not be extended and at the end of that period there will be a new regulatory regime that will allow other operators to provide pool betting as well.
	We believe that this proposal provides necessary certainty for all concerned.

Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970: Annual Report 2002

Lord Puttnam: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish an annual report under Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

Lord Warner: The annual report for 2002 is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library. The report covers research and development work carried out by or on behalf of any government department in relation to equipment that might increase the range of activities and independence or well being of disabled people.
	The current report places such research in the context of national service frameworks and the Valuing People White Paper, and outlines the role of assistive technology in making independent living easier for older people and people with disabilities. The report describes the wide range of government-funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology.

Department of Health and Food Standards Agency: Supplementary Estimates

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any proposals to amend the Department of Health's and Food Standards Agency's departmental expenditure limits and administration cost limits for 2003–04.

Lord Warner: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency departmental expenditure limits (DELs) will be decreased by £287,548,000 from £66,009,788,000 to £65,722,240,000 and the administration cost limits (ACL) decreased by £10,377,000 from £349,302,000 to £338,925,000. The Department of Health DEL will be decreased by £304,400,000 from £65,887,613,000 to £65,583,213,000 and the ACL will be reduced by £15,229,000 from £312,677,000 to £297,448,000. The Food Standards Agency DEL is increased by £16,852,000 from £122,175,000 to £139,027,000 and the ACL will increase by £4,852,000 from £36,625,000 to £41,477,000. The impact on resource and capital are set out in the following table.
	
		£ million 
		
			   New DEL 
			  Change Voted Non-Voted Total 
			  Department of Health 
			 Resource  DEL 39.817 63,070.172 -141.395 62,928.777 
			 Capital DEL -344.217 1,214.994 1,439.442 2,654.436 
			 Total  Department  of Health  DEL -304.400 64,285.166 1,298.047 65,583.213 
			 Depreciation(4) -1.752 -352.648 -44.369 -97.017 
			 Total  Department  of Health -306.152 63,932.518 1,253.678 65,186.196 
			  Food Standards Agency 
			 Resources 16.840 136.368 0 136.368 
			 Capital 0.012 2.659 0 2.659 
			 Total Food  Standards  Agency  DEL 16.852 139.027 0 139.027 
			 Depreciation(4) 0 -2.004 0 -2.004 
			 Total Food  Standards  Agency 16.852 137.023 0 137.023 
		
	
	(4) Depreciation, which forms part of resource DEL, is excluded from the total DEL since capital DEL includes capital spending and to include depreciation of those assets would lead to double counting.
	The change in the resource element of the departmental expenditure limit for the Department of Health arises from: take up of end-year flexibility (EYF) £349.632 million as set out in table 6 of the public expenditure 2002–03 provisional outturn White Paper Cm 5884 published in July 2003; a transfer from the capital DEL £318 million; additions from the invest to save budget £0.803 million; net transfers from the Home Office of £7.369 million for drug treatment and care and match funded social care projects, offset by contributions to the Home Office invest to save substance misuse project; to the Scottish Executive £-2.565 million (£0.067 million administration cost limit) for out of area treatments, offset by a contribution for the high security infectious diseases unit and national screening committee costs; transfer to the Department for Education and Skills £-637.965 million (£-4.976 million administration cost limit) mainly for the machinery of government change for child care policy; a transfer to Department of Trade and Industry £-0.056 for a contribution to review body costs; a transfer from Office of the Deputy Prime Minister £0.154 million (£0.162 million administration cost limit) mainly for local government public service agreements; a transfer from Office for National Statistics £0.059 million (administration cost limit) for a neighbourhood survey and a transfer from Department for Work and Pensions £4.386 million for a contribution the residential allowance grant.
	The change in the capital element of the department expenditure limit for the Department of Health arises from: a transfer to the resource DEL £-318 million; additions from the invest to save budget £0.191 million; a transfer to the Department for Education and Skills £-25.575 million for the machinery of government change for child care policy; a transfer to Cabinet Office £-0.750 million for development of a website and a transfer to Home Office £-0.083 million for a contribution to the invest to save budget.
	The changes to the Food Standards Agency resource element of the departmental expenditure limit arise from: a claim for end-year flexibility of £16,840,000 (£13,872,000 programme and £1,468,000 administration costs) to fund existing 2003–04 pressures; to incorporate a transfer of £1,500,000 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to cover the cost of additional illegal import enforcement and inspection work; to correctly record the split of FSA income between programme and administration income; and to transfer £3,419,000 from the FSA to the Meat Hygiene Service, an executive agency of the FSA.
	The Department of Health's administration cost limit has reduced by £-15.229 million from £312.677 million to £297.448 million as detailed above and by a transfer of £-10.541 million to programme costs. The Food Standards Agency administration cost limit has increased by £4.852 million from £36.625 million to £41.477 million as a result of incorporating administration cost EYF and correctly classifying FSA income.

Large Combustion Plants Directive

Lord Rogers of Riverside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will report progress on the implementation of the Large Combustion Plants Directive.

Lord Whitty: The Government published a consultation paper on 30 June 2003 setting out the options for implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) in the UK for plants first licensed before July 1987. For these plants, there is a choice between either setting emission limit values individually for each plant, or establishing a "national plan" under which a "bubble" for each of the pollutants covered by the directive (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust) could be shared between plants in the scheme.
	Consultations closed on 30 September. We received a number of detailed submissions on the consultation paper which we have been considering. No consensus has emerged from the responses to the consultation and there are strongly held views in favour of both implementation options. The choice between the options is also sensitive to other policies on which decisions will be taken in the next few months.
	The directive requires that any national plan is submitted to the European Commission by 27 November 2003. However, we consider that further analysis is required before we can be sure which implementation approach it is in the UK interest to adopt. We are therefore submitting a national plan to the Commission at the same time as undertaking this further analysis. This will in effect keep either option open. We would withdraw the plan if this further analysis suggested that the emission limits approach was to be preferred. A decision on whether to withdraw the national plan would be taken before spring 2004.